Pinotage

Spicy Asian-style dishes, Aromatic curries, Venison meat, Seared game fish, Duck

The name Kanonkop was derived from a kopje (hillock) from which a cannon was fired in the 17th Century to alert farmers in outlying areas that sailing ships plying the waters between Europe and the Far East had entered Table Bay for a stopover at Cape Town.

2022 was the latest vintage in the past 25 years, about 2 weeks later than normal. We had a proper cold winter with enough rain, that resulted in budbreak that was 2 weeks late. The earlier part of the season was quite cool, with December showing lower maximum and minimum temperatures. January was more moderate with a couple of hot days. We had slow ripening conditions that resulted in concentrated fruit development and palate weight.

After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 18 months in 80% new and 20% second fill 225L French Nevers oak barrels.

Fermented in open top concrete fermenters at 28°C. The floating skins were punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days.